AWARDS: Chamber honors Whitley County’s best

Whitley County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Brown gives the Small Business of the Year Award to Jill Daniel (right), of Daniel Menu & Party Consulting, Tuesday night. The Chamber honored several businesses and nonprofits in the county at its Annual Recognition Night at the Van Buren, Columbia City.Post & Mail photo / Nicole Ott

COLUMBIA CITY— “I was just here to serve dinner.”

Jill Daniel, owner of Daniel Menu & Party Consulting, expressed her surprise at receiving the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award Tuesday night.

So many local merchants were nominated, that Chamber Executive Director Doug Brown said there was not time to name them all.

He cited Daniel for the hard work of her local business, and read notes of congratulations to her from her sons — Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel and Jeff Daniel.

“This is more of an honor than you’ll ever know,” Jill Daniel said. “During the past 17 years, there were several times I wanted to throw in the towel. But God had a plan for me and He stuck with me through it all.”

Jill also thanked her husband, Darrin, for being with her throughout all of the years of business.

The Chamber was held its 2013 Annual Recognition Night at the Van Buren, in Columbia City.

There were other honors given by the Whitley County Chamber as well Tuesday.

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